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Power lines down, road conditions hazardous

This is the latest information from Jared Byrd, emergency management coordinator in Randolph County:

The Emergency Operations Center opened at 8 a.m. That number is 336-318-6910.

The 911 center has been inundated with calls reporting hazards, and we are doing our best to make sure each incident is reported to the appropriate agency.

Almost 415 calls were dispatched between midnight and 8 a.m., almost double the amount in an average 24-hour period.

Report power outages to the electric service provider, and do not call 911 unless there is a hazard present.

Overnight, the majority of Randolph County experienced ice accumulations and very gusty winds which have brought down hundreds of trees into the roadway, multiple trees on homes, and extensive power outages.

Online outage maps from local utilities are reporting more than 47,000 customers are currently without power at 11 a.m.

Many primary and secondary roads are closed due to debris in the roadway. DOT, along with help from local fire departments, have been busy clearing as much debris as possible, but have had to abandon some of their operations because trees were falling around them as they were working.

Many trees cannot be removed because there are power lines down with them, and because of the risk of electrocution, these trees will not be removed until the power company can determine the area to be safe.

We expect travel to be dangerous throughout the day as services are restored. We strongly encourage citizens to stay home if possible. Treat any downed power line as a “live” line, and do not get near them or attempt to drive over them.

Randolph County Schools and Asheboro City Schools have been closed for the day.

The intensity of the storm changed just inside Randolph County around Seagrove, leaving Montgomery County with heavy rain and swollen streams.

Schools were operating on the normal schedule.

Corey Roberts, emergency management coordinator, said a few cars slid off roads, and injuries were minor.

A mobile home fire on Research Farm Road near Candor at 10:20 a.m. has displaced a family,. No one was injured.